Same vs. Similar

Same means that two (or more) things are identical. For instance, a person might have two identical plastic cups or three pairs of ankle-cut socks by the same company and in the same color.

Similar means that two (or more) things are nearly identical but not quite. For instance, a person may have a couple rocks made of granite that are generally the same size but with unique shapes and weights.

Make sense?

Here are a few examples:

Correct: We both had the same minivan down to the model, color, and year.Also correct: We both had similar minivans, because they're both new and blue.

Correct: They have similar dogs with short hair and friendly attitudes.Incorrect: They have the same dogs with short hair and friendly attitudes.